Echo360 is best known for its lecture capture, interactive, and online learning tools, collectively known as the Echo360 Active Learning Platform. Echo360's tools are in use in some 6,000 classrooms in 500 institutions around the world, serving about 1 million students, according to the company.

According to Echo360, "We recognized that peer review is highly regarded in higher education research. That's why we created the new Community Award Research Grant which gives members of the blended learning technology user community a voice in selecting the topics they'd most like to see studied."

"As part of our mission to support educators, we are thrilled to be able to expand Echo360's Grants Program and look forward to sharing the insights from these innovative projects," said Fred Singer, CEO of Echo360, in a prepared statement. "These valuable insights will better enable us to advance active learning by delivering next-generation products that help improve student learning outcomes and assist universities with new teaching methods."

To date, the Echo360 Blended Learning Grants Program has awarded more than $200,000 for the study of blended and distance learning.

David Nagel is editorial director, education for 1105 Media's Public Sector Media Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal. A 22-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art and business publications.